WHO Representative in Malaysia: Country Should Follow Neighbors in Implementing a Full E-cigarette Ban

Key points:

·WHO calls for a total ban on e-cigarettes: 

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the representative of the World Health Organization in Malaysia, has urged the country to ban e-cigarettes altogether, warning that loopholes in regulation put children and adolescents at risk of addiction, poisoning, and exposure to illegal substances. 

·Public health crisis: 

The rapid increase in e-cigarette use among Malaysian youth has become a public health crisis. The e-cigarette industry attracts young people with colorful and varied flavored devices, claiming they are safer than cigarettes. 

·Inadequate regulations: 

Despite Malaysia introducing age restrictions and advertising bans, Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy, chairman of the Malaysian Control of Tobacco Committee (MCTC), has stated that these measures are not enough to curb the rising use of e-cigarettes and the associated risks. 

·International precedent for bans: 

Over 40 countries, including Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and Cambodia, have implemented total bans to protect public health. Malaysia needs a unified national policy to address enforcement gaps. 

·Progress in local bans: 

Sarawak plans to implement a statewide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes; Kedah, Terengganu, Penang, and Pahang have taken measures to ban sales; Johor and Kelantan have had similar bans in place since 2016 and 2015 respectively.

【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by freemalaysiatoday on July 22nd, the World Health Organization's representative in Malaysia has joined the call for a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes, warning that regulatory loopholes are putting children and teenagers at risk.

Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe stated that the use of e-cigarettes by Malaysian teenagers has become a public health crisis, with cases of addiction, poisoning, and exposure to illegal substances on the rise.

"The time for action is now, not later," he said in a joint statement with the Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control (MCTC).

He pointed out that the industry continues to exploit loopholes in enforcement by marketing devices with bright colors and diverse flavors to attract young users. These devices are often promoted under the pretext of being safer alternatives to cigarettes.

Dr. Murallitharan Munisamy, the Chairman of MCTC, stated that despite Malaysia introducing regulations such as age restrictions and advertising bans, these measures are still insufficient to curb the rapid increase in usage and associated risks.

He pointed out that more than 40 countries including Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, and Cambodia have already implemented a comprehensive ban to safeguard public health, and he stated that Malaysia needs a unified national policy to address enforcement loopholes.

Last week, the Sarawak state government announced plans to implement a statewide ban on the sale of e-cigarettes, citing concerns that they could be used as a tool for drug abuse.

Other states are also increasing law enforcement efforts. In the state of Selangor, e-cigarette traders have recently been warned to remove advertisements or face action, even though the state has not yet decided to implement a total ban.

The states of Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, and Penang have taken measures to ban the sale of e-cigarettes, while Johor and Kelantan have implemented similar bans since 2016 and 2015 respectively.